Tarot Card Pull: What It Is And How To Do It

When you’re a beginner Tarot reader, you’re bombarded with new terms. One of them is the widely used “tarot card pull.” When I started reading cards, I noticed that everyone talked about this as something we all should know. Here’s an in-depth article that answers all your questions.

Even if the term “tarot card pull” might seem complicated, it’s pretty straightforward. The most common way is to shuffle your tarot deck and then pick the card that is on top. There are other ways as well, and you learn all about them in this article.

WHAT A TAROT CARD PULL IS

A tarot card pull is when you intuitively pick a card from the deck to receive a message. You can pull cards for single card readings or very complex ones with many cards. Every time you choose a card for your spread, you do a “tarot card pull.” It’s as simple as that. 

You can choose the card that you pull in many different ways. There are no wrongs or rights here; you go with your preference and style. 

Pulling cards is a crucial function in tarot readings. Without choosing a card using your intuition, there is no reading at all. I think that’s why so many bluntly refer to the term without explaining it. As a beginner, it’s not that self-explanatory as a seasoned reader might think. 

As pulling cards intuitively are key to in-tuned readings, this is an important skill to develop. I found that many don’t talk about this that much. Many articles focus on the card meanings and intuitively read the messages. It’s like the first step; the most important one is missing. 

Now when you know what a “tarot card pull” is, let’s dig deeper so that you can learn everything you need to know or an in-tune reading. 

WHAT A TAROT CARD PULL IS FOR

When you pull a tarot card, you can use a single card or multi-card spreads to access messages. Before you start your reading, decide on the question and the spread. This is a science of its own, but this will become second nature as you get more experienced. I promise. 

Creating spreads is the primary outcome of a tarot card pull. Without a card pull, there will be no tarot card reading. 

One-card readings are a great way to learn how to read the Tarot. By perfecting your tarot card pull, you will soon get more in-tune readings.

If you want to learn how to do a daily card pull, please read my article below. 

In the picture above, you see me pulling one card from my tarot card deck. You shuffle your cards and let your intuition tell you when to stop. Place the deck on the table, and pull one card to receive the message. The action of shuffling and pulling a card is the onset of the reading sequence. Hence it’s so important to get this part right.

The tarot card pull is there to add the first spark of intuition into the mix.

HOW TO DO A TAROT CARD PULL

Knowing what a tarot card pull is and what you do with it is time to perfect the skill. It’s one of the essential parts of the reading, besides decoding the message, of course. 

If you don’t shuffle and pull cards with intention, the reading will become off. It’s like cooking. If you use bad ingredients, the final dish will become bad as well. Many who struggle with getting on-point readings have rushed through this critical phase. Many think the deck needs charging or cleansing. But, in reality, it’s often this step that needs adjustment. 

There are many ways you can do an intuitive tarot card pull. The most important thing is to do it with a clear intention. Before shuffling, decide on the question, what spread to use, and open your heart to receiving the message.

HOW TO DO A TAROT CARD PULL

There are many ways to do a card pull, but this is the most common and most straightforward, in my opinion. 

1. Decide on the question.
2. Decide on the spread.
3. Set a clear intention.
4. Knock three times on the deck to clear it.
5. Shuffle the cards and stop when your. intuition tells you to
6. Pull the top card from the deck.
7. Preferably use the left hand to pick the card.
8. Place the card in its designated place in the spread.
9. Repeat with the other cards in the spread.
10. Open your heart to receive the message.
11. When done, put your tarot deck into a tarot bag or box until the next reading.

Of course, there are alternative ways to do this. As you get more experienced, you find your unique way of doing this. 

I tend to do it this way, but I use the right hand instead of the left one. The “rule” is to pick the cards with your left hand as it’s connected to the intuitive side of the brain. I never felt comfortable using my left hand, so I used my right. The great thing about the Tarot is that there are no rules; you do you. 

SEVEN WAYS TO CHOOSE WHAT CARD TO PULL

Start by shuffling the cards. Let your intuition tell you when to stop. 

1. Pull a card from the top of the deck.
2. Cut the deck and pick a card from the top.
3. Hold the deck in your hand and let it slowly slide into the other one. The deck naturally cuts itself into two parts. Pick the top card from the bottom stack.
4. Cut the deck; let your intuition lead you.
5. Fan the deck in your hand and intuitively pick a card. Let your hand run over the cards to feel which one to choose.
6. Fan the deck on your table and intuitively pick a card. Let your hand run over the cards to feel which one to choose.
7. Choose a pop-out card (a card that pops out of the deck)

Below you find pictures with examples of the different techniques. 

There are many ways to shuffle and choose cards. These are the most common ones I know of. 

IN SUMMARY

A “tarot card pull” is when you choose a card from the tarot deck intending to use it in a reading. There are different ways of selecting a card. The most common is when you shuffle the deck and pick the top card.

Pulling cards with intention and intuition is critical for an in-tune reading. If you use lousy input, the output will be the same. 

Many say you should pull the card with your left hand, as it is connected to the intuitive side of the brain. 

Go with the flow, and feel what is right for you. The most important thing is that there is no right or wrong. All readers have their preferences. Try different techniques let your heart and gut feeling be your guide.

THE DEFINITIONS IN THIS ARTICLE ARE BASED ON THE RIDER WAITE DECK AND SYSTEM.